Christmas in 2020 is different like everything is a little different this year. With lockdown in place, many have found ways to satisfy their need for retail therapy from home. Online shopping has never seen a growth in demand as it has in 2020 with e-commerce sales more than tripling from 2014. (1) Many have become accustomed with the luxury of having everything they could wish for just a mouse click away. It is only natural then that we will probably also buy many of our holiday gifts this year through our screens. I love being able to buy anything from the comforts of my home instead of having to stand in line with screaming babies, obnoxious teenagers and stressed out mums. Small, independent businesses are struggling as it is, with many already having to close this year due to the pandemic. So it is absolutely essential that they are not forgotten in this age of digitalization.
To me, it girls are women who inspire other women with their grace and kindness. During the holiday season this can look like uplifting and supporting small businesses by making informed decisions about where we are shopping. With this in mind, I have compiled the ultimate gift guide for it girls who want to surprise their loved ones with unique, locally sourced gifts that are also going to give joy to a small business owner out there.; two birds with one stone. In real it girl fashion, all businesses listed are woman-owned and mostly POC-owned.
- Pastel Palette cube candle (3.50£)
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Pastel Palette sells candles in all kinds of shapes, colours and smells that will give your home just that last touch it needs. There is no choice but to fall in love with these candles you didn’t know you needed. Mini Bubble Cubes available for 3.50£ per piece at https://pastelpalettecandle.com/products/mini-bubble-cube
- JunkJewellery elephant earrings (5.99£)
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Jazz from JunkJewellery crafts and sells unique jewellery from her home in Doncaster. Inspired by the owner’s Sri Lankan heritage, the necklaces and earrings are not only something for the eye, but also for the heart as they celebrate diversity and staying true to yourself. The Sri Lankan Elephant earrings are available for 5.99£ at https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/904509447/sri-lankan-elephant-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_1
- ByYohannah resin bookmark (6.69£)
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I love reading but I can almost hear my books scream in agony every time I fold a dog-ear. I also use everything from receipts to napkins as a bookmark which is also not very pretty or sustainable. So you can only imagine how much I fell in love with these bookmarks from ByYohannah. The bookmarks are customizable and handcrafted with real flowers and resin and will enchant every bookworm out there. They are available from 6.69£ at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ByYohannah?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=817744324
- Biddie Tea tea infuser (7£)
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Biddie is an apothecary and lifestyle brand that focuses on the production of teas that help the overall wellness of women, especially during PMS. If you want to use your own tea, however, this cute tea infuser is available for 7£ at https://www.biddie.co/shop/tea-infuser
- Lady Garden Illustration holiday cards (8.50£)
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Lady Garden Illustration sells beautiful one-line drawings that celebrate the natural shape of women’s bodies. They are an amazing way to switch up your regular holiday cards. The Marnie print in A6 is available for 8.50£ at https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/823766915/marnie-line-drawing-print-a4a5a6-with?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1
- MurlongCres sewing pattern (12.50£)
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MurlongCres is one of the few businesses on this list that is not UK-based because I mainly compiled this gift guide with a focus on local as well as small businesses. But I couldn’t stop myself from sharing these beautiful clothes from Norwegian designer Kaja Høglund. She wants to inspire others to learn sewing which is why she has made the sewing pattern from her Emma top (depicted) available. This is a unique gift that you can make at home and is available for 12.50£ at https://murlongcres.com/collections/digital-sewing-patterns/products/emma-top-printable-sewing-pattern
- How To Get Over A Boy the book (12.99£)
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What could be a better gift than learning the art of loving and celebrating yourself? I know no one who does this with more joy and wisdom than Chidera Eggerue. I am a proud owner of two of her books and they have truly changed how I look at myself and the people I let into my life. Buy it for yourself or buy it for a friend and save a life. How To Get Over A Boy is available for 12.99£ at https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-get-over-a-boy/chidera-eggerue/9781787134805 but check if your local bookshop can order it too.
- Save The Peach reusable cotton rounds (12.99£)
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Save The Peach sells eco-friendly and sustainable beauty and personal hygiene products. Their mission is to make you WANT to choose a more sustainable lifestyle by making it easier to do so. Their reusable cotton rounds plus laundry bag are available for 12.99£ at https://savethepeach.co.uk/collections/all/products/reusable-make-up-remover-pads-20-pack-washable-eco-friendly-bamboo-cotton-pads-for-all-skin-types-with-laundry-bag-1
- Sarora Knots plant hangers (15£)
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Sarora Knots is a black owned business that provides handmade and eco-friendly plant styling accessories for plant lovers. If your friends love plants then this is the perfect gift to give their lovely plant children a special place. The Lilac Short Style Hanger is available for 15£ at https://www.saroraknots.co.uk/plant-hangers/lilac-short-style-plant-hanger
- TurtleStory hair jaw (17.50£)
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TurtleStory sells beautifully crafted slow fashion, handmade hair accessories from Poland. Their accessories are made from faux italian tortoiseshell, hence the name. My favourite is the Tokyo Light hair jaw in small for 17.50£ at https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/878582387/turtle-story-hair-jaw-small-size?ref=shop_home_active_15&crt=1
- SophieVansBags shoulder bag (22£)
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SophieVansBags makes bags for the cool 00’s girl in you, eating hot chip and lie included. All bags are handmade to order in the UK and customizable. Grab yourself and your best friend one before they sell out! The Milkshake Cow Print bag is available for 22£ at https://sophievansbags.com/collections/bags/products/cow-print-bag
- Roop face masks (23£)
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Masks have become the new normal in Western countries and why not look cute while you’re protecting yourself and others? I have never gotten so many compliments as I have when wearing my masks from Roop. They are handmade in Manchester by the owner Natasha and are a one-of-a-kind gem that will make your outfits pop no matter the occasion. The rose and raspberry cotton face mask is available for 23£ at https://www.itsrooper.co.uk/collections/mask/products/copy-of-copy-of-mask4
- SugarPressed resin earrings (23£)
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I have recently developed a serious resin addiction and SugarPressed has done nothing but worsened it. They make colourful jewellery and homeware from resin and unique flowers that are sure to leave an impression. The Forget Me Not Disc Earrings in Pearl are available for 23£ at https://sugarpressed.com/products/forget-me-not-disk-earrings-in-pearl?variant=32563476856892
- Blóma! earrings (26£)
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Blóma! is a one-woman business from Manchester with a focus on handmade, vintage inspired accessories. They make earrings, necklaces and even barrettes with a real cool-girl vibe and everything is made and sourced sustainably. The Mismatch Stanley Mini Hoop Earrings are available for 26£ at https://www.blomashop.com/collections/new-in/products/mismatch-stanley-mini-hoop-earrings
- Abigail Walker Lingerie ‘Rosie’ set (29.99£)
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Abigail Walker Lingerie is a UK brand that focuses on handmade, custom lingerie and loungewear on a made-to-order basis. I often struggle finding underwear that feels beautiful and high quality but also fits me. This brand embodies all of this for me and you can bet I will be gifting this to myself this Christmas. The Rosie set is available for 29.99£ at https://www.awlingerie.co.uk/collections/sale/products/rosie-set